Suzy Sings Siebel, Volume One

Based in California, Suzy Thompson has had a solid career as both a singer, guitarist, and fiddle player. She was influenced by blues singers and players such as Memphis Minnie and Bessie Smith, and got her fiddle chops from such Cajun players like Dewey Balfa, Dennis McGee, and Wade Fruge. She has played with artists Geoff Muldaur, Jim Kweskin, Darol Anger, Laurie Lewis, Kathy Kallik, and others, and continues to perform frequently with her husband Eric Thompson.

Back in the 1970s, she discovered the songs and songwriting of Paul Siebel, who passed away in 2022. His songs so enamored her that she took them on as her own, performing them at shows, and eventually performing for Siebel himself, so as to get his approval, which she did. On this new project, Thompson has taken her collection of Siebel’s songs and put her own stamp on them with lots of help from artists Cindy Cashdollar (lap steel, resonator guitar), John Sebastian (harmonica), Molly Mason (bass), Mark Schatz (bass), Bill Evans (banjo), Jody Stecher (mandolin, guitar, vocals), Kate Breslin (kazoo, vocals), Eric Thompson (national guitar), and Michaelle Goerlitz (drums). 

With her great voice, guitar and fiddle work, she has produced these ten nice performances of Siebel’s songs to include “Louise,” “Bride 1945,” “Lose My Blues,” “Any Day Woman,” “Nashville Again,” “The Ballad of Honest Sam,” and the previously unknown “You Don’t Need A Gun.” With her soulful lead vocals and great studio support from the musicians, this is a very pleasing new project from Thompson, and since it is titled “Volume One,” there is perhaps another project like this in the works.